Antibiotic resistance could be countered by anti-bacterial viruses

Research found some patients had lower E coli levels after being given cocktail of ‘phages’Viruses that invade bacteria but leave human cells alone could help scientists find ways around the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, researchers have said. A study has showed that a cocktail of bacteriophages, or “phages”, resulted in no side effects when given to individuals with gastrointestinal problems and did not appear to greatly disrupt the diversity of microbes in the gut – the so-calledgut microbiota. But they did reduce levels of one marker of inflammation and certain problematic species of bacteria.Continue reading...

CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic use of metronidazole had increased worldwide. Even though it is widely used, metronidazole has been associated with neurotoxicity and genotoxicity; however, its side effects are not well established. Conversely, its veterinary use is restricted in some countries because of its tumor association. Subsequently, further studies are needed to discover the secure use of metronidazole and describe new usages for this drug.
PMID: 30657582 [PubMed - in process]

ConclusionWe propose that the commensal intestinal microbiota of free-ranging Baird’s tapirs in this area remains isolated from antibiotic selective pressure, probably because seven different protected areas converge, thus giving a possible low anthropogenic activity to the region.

Publication date: Available online 19 January 2019Source: Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious DiseasesAuthor(s): A. Prisilla, P. ChellapandiAbstractC2 toxin produced from Clostridium botulinum serotypes C and D has a potential role in many pathophysiological mechanisms in birds and animals. It has encompassed an ADP ribosyltransferase subunit (C2I) and a translocation/binding subunit (C2II). In the present study, we intended to produce C2I mutant proteins as recombinant subunit vaccines by using glutathione-S-transferase-gene fusion system. The mutants of this study were previously evaluated from their evol...

Publication date: Available online 19 January 2019Source: Materials Science and Engineering: CAuthor(s): Zhiyong Song, Yang Wu, Huajuan Wang, Heyou HanAbstractDue to their remarkable antibacterial properties, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and curcumin (CCM) have been widely used in the antimicrobial field. In our study, we have fabricated the uniform and stable silver/curcumin composite nanoparticles by a facile ultrasound treatment process and the synergistic antibacterial activity were evaluated. The curcumin not only played a role of reducing agent but also acted as a capping agent. The antibacterial effects of silver/c...

Publication date: Available online 18 January 2019Source: Journal of Molecular BiologyAuthor(s): Seán M. Murray, Martin HowardAbstractWe review the key role played by mathematical modelling in elucidating two centre-finding patterning systems in E. coli: midcell division positioning by the MinCDE system and DNA partitioning by the ParABS system. We focus particularly on how, despite much experimental effort, these systems were simply too complex to unravel by experiments alone, and instead required key injections of quantitative, mathematical thinking. We conclude the review by analysing the frequency of modelling a...

Authors: Mehr S, Campbell DE
Abstract
Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a poorly understood non-IgE gastrointestinal-mediated food allergy that predominantly affects infants and young children. Cells of the innate immune system appear to be activated during an FPIES reaction. Acute FPIES typically presents between one and 4 hours after ingestion of the trigger food, with the principal symptom being profuse vomiting, and is often accompanied by pallor and lethargy. Additional features can include hypotension, hypothermia, diarrhoea, neutrophilia and thrombocytosis. In Australia, the most commonl...